Material sourcing guide

Construction chemicals, selected against the task and substrate.

Organize adhesives, mortars, admixtures, sealants and repair products by the job they need to perform. Give suppliers the substrate, system and quantity basis so pack prices can be compared meaningfully.

Unbranded mortar bags, sealant cartridges, compounds and preparation tools in a material display.
Unbranded mortar bags, sealant cartridges, compounds and preparation tools in a material display.
01 / Materials & uses

Start with the right material groups.

Adhesives and mortars

For bonding and finishing, state the material being fixed and the substrate. Request the proposed product and companion preparation materials as a defined package.

Concrete admixtures

For concrete production, reference the approved mix requirements and supplier coordination process. Do not infer a dosage or substitution from a generic product description.

Sealants, repairs and grouts

For joints, repairs and grouting, share the project dimensions and exposure conditions. List primer, backing and related materials where the proposed system requires them.

02 / Package boundaries

A material price is only part of the package.

Your material schedule
01Adhesives and mortars
02Concrete admixtures
03Sealants, repairs and grouts

One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.

Included materials

Separate products by task and substrate, with pack size, total quantity and a named project reference.

Connections & interfaces

Ask suppliers to identify compatible primers, backing materials and other companion products in the proposed system.

Confirm separately

Confirm preparation, application, tools and disposal responsibilities separately; a material offer is not an application method.

03 / A comparable request

Six details that make offers clearer.

Task and substrate
Describe the bonding, joint or repair need and the actual substrate condition for supplier review.
System compatibility
Reference the specified product family or approved system and request clarification for substitutions.
Relevant dimensions
Provide joint or repair dimensions from the project to explain the quantity basis, not to prescribe a method.
Project conditions
Share relevant application and exposure conditions from the specification so limitations can be identified.
Pack and shelf life
Request pack weight/volume, delivery quantity and usable shelf life on arrival with storage information.
Technical documents
Ask for current product and safety data for the proposed materials and declared exceptions to the request.
Illustrative request lines
Item & descriptionQuantity
C-01Bonding mortar for finish zone A; substrate and compatible system per specification.60 bags
C-02Joint sealant for zone B; colour and joint schedule attached, primer listed separately.120 cartridges

Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.

04 / Compare the whole offer

Three checks before you decide.

Pack price and coverage basis

Compare pack content and the supplier's stated quantity assumptions rather than bag price alone.

Companion materials

Check primers, backing and preparation materials that may sit outside the headline product price.

Shelf life and exceptions

Review storage conditions, remaining usable life and declared limitations for the proposed use.

05 / Practical questions

Details worth clarifying early.

Can I compare two products by bag price alone?

Compare pack weight, the stated application basis and companion materials too. Ask each supplier to explain the quantity calculation.

Which documents should accompany the offer?

Request current product and safety data for the actual proposed material, plus the project-specific evidence you need.

07 / Your next step

Turn your material schedule into a request.

Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.